Question
You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on the following topic:
Write a story about a survivor.
Model Essay
The storm came without warning, a ferocious tempest that turned the calm sea into a churning cauldron. Aboard the small fishing boat, James fought to maintain control, but the waves were merciless. A rogue wave, taller than the mast, crashed over the vessel, tossing James into the dark, icy waters. The boat vanished, swallowed by the relentless ocean.
James surfaced, gasping for breath, his body battered by the waves. Clinging to a piece of debris, he scanned the horizon, but saw nothing but angry water and lightning-slashed skies. Alone and adrift, he was miles from the nearest shore with no sign of rescue.
For hours, James clung to the debris, fighting the urge to give in to despair. His mind drifted to his family, their faces flashing before him like beacons of hope. He couldn’t let them down. He had to survive. Summoning all his strength, he began to paddle, aiming for the distant shore he couldn’t see but knew was out there.
Night fell, and the storm gradually subsided, leaving James alone in the eerie calm. The stars emerged, providing faint light. Exhausted and freezing, he continued to paddle, driven by sheer willpower. As dawn broke, he saw it—a faint line on the horizon. Land. It seemed impossibly far, but it was there.
With renewed determination, James pressed on. He lost track of time as the sun climbed higher, scorching his exposed skin. His limbs ached, his throat burned with thirst, and his vision blurred. But the sight of land grew clearer, and that was all that mattered.
By late afternoon, the currents had mercifully carried him closer. He could make out a rocky coastline, waves crashing against jagged cliffs. Summoning the last of his strength, he paddled furiously. Hours later, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, he felt the seabed beneath his feet.
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Stumbling ashore, James collapsed onto the sand, every muscle screaming in protest. He lay there for a while, staring up at the sky, his body ached but his spirit unbroken. He had made it. Against all odds, he had survived.
Slowly, he rose and surveyed his surroundings. The island was small and uninhabited, but it offered fresh water and fruit-laden trees. He drank deeply from a stream and ate greedily, feeling life return to his weary body.
Over the next few days, James explored the island, gathering materials to build a shelter. He crafted tools from stones and branches, determined to survive until rescue came. Every day, he scanned the horizon, hoping for a passing ship or plane.
Weeks turned into months, and James adapted to his new life. He established routines, maintaining his health and sanity. He never stopped believing that one day, he would be found. His resilience and resourcefulness kept him going.
One morning, as he was fishing by the shore, he heard a distant hum. Heart pounding, he looked up to see a plane approaching. He waved frantically, setting a signal fire alight. The plane circled, then dipped its wings in acknowledgment. James collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face. He was going home.
When the rescue team arrived, they found a man who had not only survived but thrived. James’s story of endurance and hope inspired many. He had faced the unthinkable and emerged stronger, a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Against all odds, he had survived.
Word Count: 561